Colonial Pipeline Company’s fuel tanks in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. (Photo: AFP/VNA) US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on May 27 issued new security guidance for owners and operators of fuel pipelines. This move follows a cyber attack on the company’s fuel pipeline system Colonial Pipeline , leading to gas supply disruptions on the US East Coast this month. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said: “The recent malware attack on a major fuel pipeline shows that the cybersecurity of pipeline systems is a critical factor. pivotal to the homeland security of the United States.” Under DHS, owners and operators of fuel pipeline Key players will be required to immediately report confirmed and probable cyber-attacks to the Department of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security under their respective jurisdictions. DHS (CISA), and appoint a cybersecurity coordinator available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. The issuance of the new guidance also requires fuel pipeline owners and operators to review current cybersecurity measures to detect any vulnerabilities, as well as remedial actions if necessary. there is a risk of a cyber attack. They must notify this result to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), a unit of DHA, and CISA within 30 days. The DHS statement said TSA is considering additional mandatory measures to enhance cybersecurity to protect the US fuel system. Previously, on May 7, Colonial Pipeline announced that it was attacked by ransomware and forced to close some systems. This incident caused a large-scale supply disruption, causing thousands of gas stations on the US East Coast to fall into shortages and gasoline prices to the highest level since 2017. The US government has issued an order. state of emergency in 17 states and Washington, D.C. After more than 1 week of being affected, the Colonial Pipeline oil pipeline has returned to normal operation. Colonial Pipeline has publicly confirmed paying a ransom to restore computer networks. Meanwhile, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) identified DarkSide as the hacker group behind the attack.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden.

The sanctions are part of the US government’s response to Russia’s election meddling in the US and the launch of the SolarWinds cyber attack last December, according to the New York Times.

Sources say that among the Russian citizens that the US is preparing to impose sanctions are both government officials and intelligence services.

The Wall Street Journal also cited sources as saying that US President Joe Biden would issue a decree extending a ban on US banks from conducting transactions related to Russia’s national debt.

Earlier in January, the US Agency for Cyber ​​Security and Infrastructure (CISA) issued a joint statement by the FBI and several other agencies, under which Russia is likely to be behind the attack. Large-scale networks targeted at customers of the computer security firm SolarWinds.

According to Washington, the goal of the attack was to gather intelligence. However, it was later reported that the attackers did not gain access to sensitive information.

In mid-March, US intelligence released a new report, accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of directing the Russian government’s influence campaigns to reduce the likelihood of Democratic candidate Joe Biden’s victory in elections in 2020 and deepening political divisions in America.

Advisor to US President Joe Biden on national security Jake Sullivan recently stated that in response to this attack the White House is ready to use a variety of methods, not only sanctions but also “tangible and intangible” tools.

The New York Times also wrote that the US is planning to carry out “secret counterattacks” on Russian systems.

The Kremlin rated the allegations as “completely unfounded” and said that this was just an excuse for the new sanctions. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia did not interfere in the US election and was not involved in cyber attacks.

Unprecedented

Ms. Wormuth began working for the U.S. Government in 1996 in the Pentagon Policy Office. During the Obama administration, she served as chief communications officer from the White House National Security Council to the Pentagon on defense matters.

President Biden nominates Christine Wormuth to the position of Secretary of the Army

A veteran national security official with experience working at the Pentagon, Ms. Wormuth also served as Director of Defense Policy at the National Security Council under former President Obama’s administration. Most recently, Ms. Wormuth was Director of the Center for Defense Policy and International Security at the Rand Corporation, a nonprofit that supports the U.S. and international Governments in defense, economic, and scientific policy research and analysis. She served as a special assistant to the president and Senior Director of Defense at the National Security Council (NSC) from December 2010 to August 2012, where she served as the chief communications officer from the NSC to the Pentagon on defense matters. She was also an influential member of Mr Biden’s transition team at the Pentagon as head of the Biden-Harris Defense Agency Review Team.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin commented: “Christine Wormuth is a true darling with a devoted career serving America and national security. I am sure that, if confirmed, she will lead the soldiers and represent their families as Army Minister in honor and integrity.”

If confirmed by the Senate as military secretary, Wormuth would be one of the more powerful officials in a longstanding male-dominated defense facility. She will work with the Army Chief of Staff, Gen. James McConville, who does not command soldiers but is responsible along with the Secretary of the Army for training and equipment.

The trend of choosing women for important positions

Mr. Biden’s nomination will continue Mr. Biden’s tendency to choose women and people of color for top Defense Department jobs. Austin was the first black Defense Secretary and Kathleen Hicks was the first woman to serve as deputy defense secretary.

Jen Easterly was nominated for the position of head of the Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber security and Infrastructure Agency (CISA).

Earlier, President Joe Biden had nominated two female generals as military commanders, positions that have so far been mostly male-only. It was Air Force General Jacqueline Van Ovost, the only female serviceman with a 4-star rank – the highest rank in the U.S. military – to be appointed head of the U.S. Army Transport Command (USTRANSCOM). Three-star General Laura Richardson was appointed commander of Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) in charge of Central America and Latin America. In her new role, her rank was raised to 4 stars.

Most recently, on April 12, the White House said That Jen Easterly – a former senior official in charge of counterterrorism work of the National Security Agency (NSA), was nominated to the position of head of the Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber security and Infrastructure Agency (CISA). Ms. Easterly served on the National Security Council as a senior director for counterterrorism and the president’s special assistant in former President Barack Obama’s administration. She is also the CEO of Morgan Stanley, in charge of the company’s cybersecurity a combined center.

According to Mr Walsh, Mr Biden’s personnel decisions have made a difference from his predecessor’s administration. The number of women in senior positions in his administration is expected to increase significantly compared to Mr. Trump’s administration, where these positions are often held by white men. Observers speculate Mr Biden could set new records for the number of women holding positions of power in Washington. According to the CAWP Director, this is expected to be a positive signal.

“Every time a woman takes on a senior leadership position, it conveys a message to girls, young girls and adult women across the country that they can do this too,” Ms Walsh said.